---
title: "Niseko Lift Usage Fell 5.5% In 2025-26 Season After Slow Start To Winter"
date: 2026-06-03T11:07:00+09:00
author: Chris Pickering
canonical_url: "https://uchijapan.com/news/niseko-lift-usage-fell-5-5-in-2025-26-season-after-slow-start-to-winter"
section: News
---
[Resort News](https://uchijapan.com/news/resorts)# Niseko Lift Usage Fell 5.5% In 2025-26 Season After Slow Start To Winter

Jun 03, 2026

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   ![Niseko Skier Uchi](https://d1g90p0r985xbs.cloudfront.net/general/_480x270_crop_center-center_60_line/415961/NisekoSkierUchi.jpg)Lift and gondola usage across Niseko United’s four main ski resorts fell 5.5% year on year in the 2025-26 season, as a low-snow start delayed full openings by one to two weeks.

Lift and gondola usage across Niseko United’s four main ski resorts fell 5.5% year on year in the 2025-26 season, according to the group’s latest figures.

Total lift and gondola rides from December 2025 to March 2026 came to 10,693,769, down from the previous season. The main reason appears to have been a slow start to winter, with lighter early-season snowfall delaying full openings at all four resorts by around one to two weeks.

Niseko United includes Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, Niseko Hanazono Resort, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area.

Although the total slipped from the year before, the region still remained above 10 million lift rides for a second straight season. It was also the first time since the pandemic period that the figure had fallen below the previous year’s level.

The report suggests that visitor trends were mixed. Chinese visitor numbers declined, while North American demand increased, supported by the weak yen, poor snow conditions in some Western markets and growing use of the Ikon Pass, which covers more than 70 ski resorts worldwide.

Grand Hirafu reportedly saw significantly weaker December numbers, although US visitors helped offset some of the decline from China. Hanazono also noted that visitor numbers around Lunar New Year were softer than expected. At a hotel near Niseko Annupuri, US guests were said to be the largest group for the first time.

March snowfall helped improve conditions later in the season, and Niseko Village said its figures for that period were higher than a year earlier, suggesting that late-season skiing is becoming more firmly established in the market.

Looking ahead, the planned launch of direct flights between New Chitose Airport and North America from December is expected to support future demand, although the continued decline in domestic skier numbers remains a challenge for the region.